Pankaj and Radhika Oswal, a distinguished Indian-origin couple currently residing in Switzerland. They have recently acquired one of the world’s top 10 most expensive and lavish residences. This exquisite abode, known as ‘Villa Vari,’ comes with an astounding price tag of $200 million, which is approximately equivalent to Rs 1,649 crores.
Originally owned by Greek heiress Christina Onassis, the Swiss mansion has undergone extensive renovations by the Oswals, who possess immense wealth and a penchant for extravagance. Renowned interior designer Jeffrey Wilkes was tasked with the redesign, and his remarkable work includes furnishings and artifacts sourced from around the globe. Wilkes, known for his exceptional designs at the Oberoi Rajvilas, Oberoi Udaivilas, and the Leela Hotels, was entrusted with the Oswals’ vision of creating a home that seamlessly blends their Indian heritage with a cosmopolitan flair – a challenge he met with aplomb.
Spanning an impressive 40,000 square meters, Villa Vari boasts custom interior installations sourced from various corners of the world. Despite its record-setting stature, the mansion exudes understated luxury, reflecting the values of its owners, who, despite leading a jet-setting lifestyle, prefer to maintain a low-key and private existence. Even the name, Villa Vari, is a homage to the Oswals’ daughters, Vasundhara and Riddhi.
The mansion’s interior is adorned with bespoke copper accents, champagne leaf screens, stunning tiki mirror panels, and exquisite marble work. The seamless integration of the picturesque outdoors is achieved through French doors, expansive glass-paned windows, and chandeliers sourced from Turkey and Morocco. Additionally, the residence features multiple-storeyed walk-in wardrobes and a spa and wellness wing embellished with gold inlays.
Despite boasting a staggering net worth of USD 3 billion and owning businesses spanning petrochemicals, real estate, fertilizers, and mining, the Oswal family maintains a modest profile. Their international conglomerate, ‘Oswal Group Global,’ oversees notable ventures such as ‘PRO Industries PTE LTD,’ the largest ethanol plant in East Africa, ‘Axis Minerals,’ a significant bauxite mining project in West Africa, and ‘Burrup Fertilizers,’ the world’s largest liquid ammonia production company.
